How Do You Watch Something on the Computer?

This is K's preferred way of watching anything on the computer. At least it was until he flipped the chair over. He wasn't hurt, but I don't think he's done it since.

Purpose of Scissors

K loves to use his scissors. He's had his own pair the Christmas after he turned 2 and he's very proficient with them. He's only cut his hair one time (that I know of.) Well, the other day, he took his scissors outside and I caught him "cutting the grass". It was almost as cute as when he said, "Momma, I'm a bear. Look, I'm barefoot". He didn't have any shoes on. Kids are so cute. I love being a mom.

Never Too Young!

K washing M's truck mats.

The other day, M mentioned that he was going to wash his truck. K jumped up, said, "Can I help? Can I get paid?" and than ran out the door looking to earn some money. He did a good job helping his daddy and did earn some money. Not only did he wash the mats but he also wiped down the dash and helped clean the seats. Teaching a child work ethic isn't child punishment, it's called child development. You can't wait until you're ready for them to move out to start teaching them how to be responsible.

My husband and I agree that it's very important to teach children, not only the value of money, but of hard work. All too often, children feel as though they are entitled to have whatever they want just because they want it. I feel sorry for those kids, because when they finally move out of their house, they're going to realize that's now how things really are, unless they depend on the government, but that's a different story for a different day.

L

Here's a recent picture of L in a similar pose as my last pic, but I think she was just fussing at her brother about something, she wasn't going potty.

From the Past

My mom sent me these pics a while back and I've decided to hang them in the most appropriate spot in the house, the guest bathroom. Do you recognize the girl in the back?

Baby Pharis #3

I went to the Dr. yesterday and had my first ultrasound. The baby measured at 12 weeks and had a heartbeat of 159. My expected due date is March 24, two weeks after my 9th wedding anniversary, a little over one week before L's 2nd birthday, and a little less than one month before K's 5th birthday; aside from Mother's Day, we have 5 family birthdays in May and school lets out for the year. So, when we originally started "planning" a family, I made the comment that I'd rather not have a baby in May because of how busy it is. Be careful what you wish/ask/pray for! God has such a funny sense of humor and He might just give you what you ask! LOL Oh, by the way.... this time, instead of finding a name we like and then finding the meaning of it later, we're going to try to find a name that means "calm, tranquil, relaxed, easy-going, mild-mannered," etc. in hopes of having a child that will balance out my other two "warriors". The ultrasound tech did say this baby was all sprawled out and just relaxing. *fingers crossed*

A LOT has Happened

On August 28, M left to go on a 3 week hunting trip with his dad. They ended up somewhere in north New Mexico the next day. Since he's been gone, a lot has happened. The only way I'm able to talk to him is if and when they "go to town" and they can get signal. I've only been able to talk to him twice and we weren't surrounded by ideal circumstances either time. The first time he called, he had left his cellphone at the camp, so he had to use a pay-phone. (Luckily, there was still one around). We weren't able to talk long because it was hard to hear him over the motorcycles that were driving by. The second time he called, I had just got home and I was SO tired, that I could barely keep my eyes open. At that point, he had been gone about a week and a half and they had not done any hunting yet and the other guys were just getting there.

When M left, I was truly worried that either the girls or I one may not survive. We were going through a really hard time and they were being very rebellious, which in turn, caused K to be more rebellious. About a week after M left, one of the biggest changes of our household happened and I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to talk to M about it. Luckily, I was and he was in agreement with what was going on. The girls ended moving back home Labor Day weekend. Here it is another week later and they still haven't started school yet. Come to find out, one of the girls weren't given proper credit from her previous public school and the new school they are planning to enroll her in won't acknowledge her private school transcript because someone mentioned she was homeschooled. I'm not sure what's going to happen with that. She might have to repeat her 9th grade year.

With that being said, the house has been a lot more calm and relaxed. K has adjusted VERY well to being the big brother again. He's really excited about having a new baby "brother" as he says. Just last night he asked me when I was going to go to the hospital to get the baby. I explained we had to wait until my belly got really big and the baby finished growing. He seemed to understand.

L has learned some more signs. She knows how to say "Thank You" and knows how to get in her booster seat all by herself. If I'm not watching closely, I can even catching her refilling her cup of water at the fridge. Yep! She's done it a couple of times. It was a little messy, but she tried. She also used the bathroom on the potty once.

K says he's "independent" now and dresses himself completely by himself and does ALL the bedtime duties by himself. He's tall enough to turn the lights on and off, so I no longer have to follow him to the bathroom. He learned how to tie his shoes by himself, so now I have to plan way ahead to give him enough time to get it done before I need to leave. Now that he can do it by himself, he doesn't want any help and he ties everything that needs to be tied. The first time he tied something, he called me in from the living room to show me something. When I got to his room, he showed me that he had tied his swim shorts. I was impressed, but asked to see him do it again. I let him practice on his shoes since the strings were longer and of course, he did it. He was so excited and I was/am so proud. He had to call his Granny Nee and Nana to let them know. He would have called his daddy if he would've been able to talk.

Oh, K even learned how to count to 5 in Spanish. Kids are such sponges. They absorb everything!